Sunday, April 22, 2007

Back in the game!!!

So, today after church, I was attacked for not keeping up with my Blog for, oh say..the last 6 months or so. I know that's pretty pathetic.....I was just amazed to see that more than just my mom reads my blog!!! Anyways, I've had so much going on in my life lately, I have plenty to write about. I think it's just been a combination of laziness worked in with occasional business that led to my downfall. So here you go Zak Attack.....and you too Brent......I will stick with it this time.

On to substance. Today, Steve preached a killer sermon on mourning. He basically said that God will bless and comfort those who come to Him in mourning. I think the reason this sermon meant so much to me was because of one of my best friends. I digress.......this buddy of mine has been mad at God for a long time. He's just been bitter. He has appeared to be mad at God and at life for a long time. Now, I'm not going to give the details to his reasons, but I will say this: I can see why he has become this way. He's come across some incredible hardships in the past few years.....hardships that would destroy many people. But, instead of turning to God...instead of asking why, or just crying on his shoulder...he just kept it in. He wasn't a "moaner"....but he was just angry. I've been working on this guy for a while.....just trying to get him to see that God puts us all through unfair and tough times, sometimes to test our character, sometimes to remind us of His power! All this to no avail. My prayer over the last couple of years with him has just been that he would go to a church....maybe start to feel the spirit again. Well, he called me out of the blue on Wednesday and said he wanted to start going to church!!! Wow! He said he felt a void in his life...I talked to him about the God-shaped hole in us.... the one that has only one filler! Well, today he came to TNC. He told me afterwards that he felt that sermon was written just for him. I saw a glimpse of peace in his eyes I haven't seen in a long time.....and it's got me PUMPED UP!!! So I just ask you pray for my friend....pray he will return to TNC, that he will release it all to God, that whatever is holding him down that he realizes God can release it!

Oh, by the way. I had a kid since my "last" entry...so here is a picture of the little stinker.

Marshall Jeffrey Barton
Born March 19th, 2007
Weighing 5lbs 10oz.